Accurate Answers and Detailed Rationales
Question 1. What is the primary role of a medical assistant in a clinical
setting?
A. Diagnose patient conditions
B. Perform administrative and clinical duties under supervision
C. Prescribe medications independently
D. Perform surgery
Answer: B
Rationale: Medical assistants perform administrative and clinical duties
under the direct supervision of licensed providers. They cannot diagnose
or prescribe independently.
Question 2. Which task is outside the scope of practice for a medical
assistant?
A. Rooming patients
B. Administering IM injections
C. Phone triage
D. Checking vital signs
Answer: C
Rationale: Phone triage requires interpreting data and diagnosing
symptoms, which is outside MA scope. MAs cannot independently treat
or diagnose.
,Question 3. A patient is angry about a long wait. What is the first action
the MA should take?
A. Defend the office
B. Actively listen and maintain eye contact
C. Call security
D. Ignore the patient
Answer: B
Rationale: The first step is to tune in and actively listen, maintaining eye
contact and non-threatening body positioning.
Question 4. What does the abbreviation HPI stand for?
A. Health provider information
B. History of present illness
C. Heart rate variability
D. Hospital patient intake
Answer: B
Rationale: HPI is history of present illness.
Question 5. Which blood type is the universal donor?
A. A
B. B
C. AB
D. O
,Answer: D
Rationale: Type O negative is the universal donor. O blood has no A or B
antigens.
Question 6. Which blood type is the universal recipient?
A. A
B. B
C. AB
D. O
Answer: C
Rationale: AB positive is the universal recipient. AB blood has no
antibodies against A or B.
Question 7. A patient with type O blood can receive blood from which
type?
A. A
B. B
C. AB
D. O
Answer: D
Rationale: Type O can only receive blood from Type O. They have
antibodies against A and B.
, Question 8. What is the normal adult blood pressure?
A. 90/60
B. 120/80
C. 140/90
D. 160/100
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal adult BP is 120/80 mmHg. Systolic is 120 or less and
diastolic is 80 or less.
Question 9. What is the top number of a blood pressure reading called?
A. Diastolic
B. Systolic
C. Mean arterial pressure
D. Pulse pressure
Answer: B
Rationale: Top number is systolic, bottom is diastolic.
Question 10. What is the normal heart rate for an adult?
A. 40-60 bpm
B. 60-100 bpm
C. 100-120 bpm
D. 120-160 bpm